Awaited has arrived, version of the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics goes on sale this month (March 2010). It�s as per the regular 320d, unless you�re so into your diesel 3 Series that you can tell that this one rides 15mm lower than the 320d SE. It has low rolling resistance tyres too, contributing to a slightly lower drag coefficient, and the gear ratios are different.
But, compared to the standard 320d, this emits 19g/km less CO2, boasts 10mpg better combined consumption, has 22lb.ft more torque and there�s a fiver in the price difference. Impressed? So are we. Even the 0-62mph time is only 0.1 seconds slower, despite losing 13bhp. It lists at �27,280.
When driving this car, the only noticeable compromise over the standard 320d from the driver�s seat is a noise penalty from the engine at higher revs. But it loses in smoothness and refinement at the top end; unlike most BMWs, this is not one that you�ll particularly enjoy revving.
In essence, a set of sprung weights on the flywheel smooth out the vibrations at low revs � the vibrations that make you feel you�re about to stall and so cause you to change down a gear. It means the car can happily sit at very low revs without the associated driveline vibrations, so you change gear less, keeping the engine speed low, thus improving economy.
However, let�s not belittle the achievement here. This 320d might be a little rough around the edges, but it�s hardly noisy, has all the flexibility of the very flexible standard car, yet boasts genuinely supermini-rivalling economy. BMW could justifiably have charged more for it, but hasn�t. Hats off for that. Plus you�ll annoy the taxman.
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